As the daughter of a public school teacher and as a graduate of a relatively test-score-focused public school system, I found Gatto’s arguments very compelling.\u00a0 I felt bored in my public school classes which followed set curricula and did not allow for individual curiosity.\u00a0 Upon reflection, however, I feel that Gatto is leaving out a key factor in his arguments, namely income inequality and local funding of public schools.\u00a0 Mass production is an inherently cost-effective method of schooling, as Gatto implies with his reference to schools with 2000-4000 students.\u00a0 School budgets are often the first to be affected by financial constraints, because very few people are willing to recognize that as the price of everything else goes up, good education will also cost more.\u00a0 Many public schools have to increase class sizes to make up for rising costs in other areas, like special education mandates and health care costs.\u00a0 In large classes, the teacher’s most important role may become management of 35+ students rather than inspiring children to love learning.\u00a0 In wealthy enclaves, some of these problems are ameliorated by parents who not only know the value of good education but also can afford to support innovative and high quality schools.\u00a0 These towns tend to pass higher school budgets that allow for smaller class sizes, new technology, enrichment programs and specialized courses.<\/p>\n
Overall I believe that Gatto’s essay has had an important impact on how we see American public education and many teachers want to improve their students’ independence and engagement with subject matter.\u00a0 Until we give them the resources to do so, only wealthy districts will have the flexibility to meet the needs of individual students and create well-educated adults.<\/p>\n
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As the daughter of a public school teacher and as a graduate of a relatively test-score-focused public school system, I found Gatto’s arguments very compelling.\u00a0 I felt bored in my public school classes which followed set curricula and did not … Continue reading